Dillian Whyte could be confirmed as Anthony Joshua April 2019 opponent by next month

Joshua v Whyte 2 28/08/2018

📸 Lawrence Lustig

Dillian Whyte could be climbing into the ring with Anthony Joshua for a second time in April 2019 following an admission by promoter Eddie Hearn.

The Matchroom boss turned to Whyte after being unable to meet Deontay Wilder’s demands for a rematch clause in the contract for Joshua next spring, leaving Whyte as the number one contender.

Despite Kubrat Pulev fighting Hughie Fury in a final eliminator this October, and the WBO potentially ordering a stipulated defense within 180 days of Joshua’s fight next month, Hearn looks set to push for Whyte to be given his chance before any mandatories.

Joshua has to deal with Alexander Povetkin first at Wembley Stadium, with Hearn even stating Whyte may be confirmed in the wake of the September 22 bout.

“As it goes right now, he’s (Dillian) the favourite because Wilder won’t communicate with us, or his team,” Hearn explained to Sky Sports News.

“At the moment, that (Deontay Wilder) fight looks impossible, because how can we get it made, if they won’t reply?”

Wilder’s team informed WBN they intend to see through a clash with Tyson Fury before returning to any talks with Joshua after going through weeks of wasted negotiations the first time around.

With Wilder out of the picture and Joshua firmly on his radar, Whyte wants a fight beforehand in December, with Hearn revealing a Dereck Chisora rematch is top of the wishlist above Americans Dominic Breazeale or Jarrell Miller.

“Out of the three, it (Chisora) is the fight the British public want,” said Hearn. “I think Chisora has earned the rematch, to be honest. He looked finished against (Agit) Kabayel and then he produced that performance against (Carlos) Takam from the gods. How can you deny him the opportunity of a rematch?

“What Dillian has got to decide is, if we sign that Joshua fight after the Povetkin fight for Dillian, what sort of fight does he want in between? Does he want a risk fight?

“He probably does, but I would be happy to take him to America, give him a run out over there before the April fight,” he added.

Whyte facing a lesser name would only serve a purpose for a US audience, whilst taking on Miller has a good chance of being set as a final WBO eliminator.

Whatever Whyte decides to do, a Joshua revenge attempt is on the cards as boxing fans continue to wait for an undisputed Wilder unification deal to be agreed.